Post by w6602876 on Dec 7, 2008 22:42:04 GMT -5
Probable playoff matchup
Nets vs. Bobcats
The Nets will most likely face off against the bottom seeded Bobcats. The New Jersey Nets defeated the Bobcats during the regular season 3 games to 1. The Nets have made their way to the top only three seasons ago and have found a place at the top of the conference playing stunning basketball with a GM that knows how to balance his salary cap. The balanced scoring of the Nets make them tough to stop as they are led by Jaylen McLeary who bolted from the Bulls in free agency to play for the Nets. The Bobcats have been slowed down by injury all season long to injuries of Theo Pinson Jr. The Bobcats late surge into the playoffs could make their playoff chances rather bleak against the Nets. Though Pinson does have help along with veteran Trae Golden and Kevin Love, the Bobcats will attempt to upset the Nets.
Pacers vs. Cavs
The defending champions take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The teams have split the season series 2-2 but the Pacers were hit with an injury to J-Mychal Reese. However with the addition of Velsco the Pacers were able to continue their stellar play. While the Pacers are easily favored to repeat if healthy the Cavs will rely on their guard play in the playoffs led by Rudy Mbemba.
Hornets vs. Sixers
What could easily be the most exciting series, the sixers will be led by their UOSL ready players Clark Overlander and Channing Doerman. The Hornets in-season acquisition of Kyle Anderson has caused quite a stir and the addition of Anderson have moved them up from last to third in the conference, with the season series going to the sixers 3 games to 1, the Hornets will hope to catch lightening in a bottle and make a run in the playoffs.
Knicks vs. Hawks
With the Knicks making two blockbuster trades at a rebuilding opportunity the Knicks are still playing very well led by Jan Vesely who has been making contributions on both ends of the court. Averaging 2.6 blocks a game along with 4.2 assists on the offensive end. He'll be matched up against Marcelis Johnson who has been a bit unimpressive thus far in his four year stint with the Hawks but he'll have plenty of help coming from former Knick Raymond Dorsey. Dorsey had won a ring in New York and decided on a change of scenery down south and has done an excellent job in his first season away from New York.
Warriors vs. Jazz
During the season matchup the Jazz were able to take one game from the Warriors by three points, if regular season performance is in anyway a foresight to playoff performance the Jazz may face a short series. The Jazz are led by newly acquired Diego Gerbaudo from the San Anotnio Spurs via free agency. He had a break out season with the Jazz leading the team in scoring. Despite the departure of Tavon Sledge, the Jazz still managed to get into the playoffs. Diego Gerbaudo and Love will have an up hill battle to climb against the tough Warriors. However for any team to defeat the Warriors they'll have to manage to stop a backcourt averaging 54 points per game shooting over 45% from the field.
Mavericks vs. Suns
The second seeded Mavericks have a matchup against the Suns. Though the Suns were able to take one game from the Mavericks the league's seasoned vet make prevent the series from being a close one. The Suns will be in quite a battle if they were to over take the league's best backcourt. The Suns may be able to make the games close but the Mavericks will most likely pull away in 5 or 6 games.
Kings vs. Lakers
The Kings will be without Rasheed Sulaimon for the first three games against the Lakers who have moved down the standings. Both teams have faced injuries throughout the season and both teams are mirror images of each other in terms of scoring because they are both shooting the ball at 45.9% from the field. Both teams have injuries to their front court and the Kings will be short-handed in the series without Rasheed. It could be a sign that the Kings might have to start rebuilding once again.
Clippers vs. Grizzlies
A rematch of last years first round matchup both teams will go at it again. However, the Clippers will be facing a much tougher challange this time around with the addition of Dorian Dawkins. Though the Clippers and Grizzlies were tied 2-2 during the regular season, the Clippers already faced a Dawkins and it was Rickey Roberts getting the best of the matchup coming away with 25 points. Though Roberts and Danos could be enough to contain Dawkins, it will Darius Miles looking to take advantage of the addition of Dawkins as he'll most likely see more looks and more open shots.
Nets vs. Bobcats
The Nets will most likely face off against the bottom seeded Bobcats. The New Jersey Nets defeated the Bobcats during the regular season 3 games to 1. The Nets have made their way to the top only three seasons ago and have found a place at the top of the conference playing stunning basketball with a GM that knows how to balance his salary cap. The balanced scoring of the Nets make them tough to stop as they are led by Jaylen McLeary who bolted from the Bulls in free agency to play for the Nets. The Bobcats have been slowed down by injury all season long to injuries of Theo Pinson Jr. The Bobcats late surge into the playoffs could make their playoff chances rather bleak against the Nets. Though Pinson does have help along with veteran Trae Golden and Kevin Love, the Bobcats will attempt to upset the Nets.
Pacers vs. Cavs
The defending champions take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The teams have split the season series 2-2 but the Pacers were hit with an injury to J-Mychal Reese. However with the addition of Velsco the Pacers were able to continue their stellar play. While the Pacers are easily favored to repeat if healthy the Cavs will rely on their guard play in the playoffs led by Rudy Mbemba.
Hornets vs. Sixers
What could easily be the most exciting series, the sixers will be led by their UOSL ready players Clark Overlander and Channing Doerman. The Hornets in-season acquisition of Kyle Anderson has caused quite a stir and the addition of Anderson have moved them up from last to third in the conference, with the season series going to the sixers 3 games to 1, the Hornets will hope to catch lightening in a bottle and make a run in the playoffs.
Knicks vs. Hawks
With the Knicks making two blockbuster trades at a rebuilding opportunity the Knicks are still playing very well led by Jan Vesely who has been making contributions on both ends of the court. Averaging 2.6 blocks a game along with 4.2 assists on the offensive end. He'll be matched up against Marcelis Johnson who has been a bit unimpressive thus far in his four year stint with the Hawks but he'll have plenty of help coming from former Knick Raymond Dorsey. Dorsey had won a ring in New York and decided on a change of scenery down south and has done an excellent job in his first season away from New York.
Warriors vs. Jazz
During the season matchup the Jazz were able to take one game from the Warriors by three points, if regular season performance is in anyway a foresight to playoff performance the Jazz may face a short series. The Jazz are led by newly acquired Diego Gerbaudo from the San Anotnio Spurs via free agency. He had a break out season with the Jazz leading the team in scoring. Despite the departure of Tavon Sledge, the Jazz still managed to get into the playoffs. Diego Gerbaudo and Love will have an up hill battle to climb against the tough Warriors. However for any team to defeat the Warriors they'll have to manage to stop a backcourt averaging 54 points per game shooting over 45% from the field.
Mavericks vs. Suns
The second seeded Mavericks have a matchup against the Suns. Though the Suns were able to take one game from the Mavericks the league's seasoned vet make prevent the series from being a close one. The Suns will be in quite a battle if they were to over take the league's best backcourt. The Suns may be able to make the games close but the Mavericks will most likely pull away in 5 or 6 games.
Kings vs. Lakers
The Kings will be without Rasheed Sulaimon for the first three games against the Lakers who have moved down the standings. Both teams have faced injuries throughout the season and both teams are mirror images of each other in terms of scoring because they are both shooting the ball at 45.9% from the field. Both teams have injuries to their front court and the Kings will be short-handed in the series without Rasheed. It could be a sign that the Kings might have to start rebuilding once again.
Clippers vs. Grizzlies
A rematch of last years first round matchup both teams will go at it again. However, the Clippers will be facing a much tougher challange this time around with the addition of Dorian Dawkins. Though the Clippers and Grizzlies were tied 2-2 during the regular season, the Clippers already faced a Dawkins and it was Rickey Roberts getting the best of the matchup coming away with 25 points. Though Roberts and Danos could be enough to contain Dawkins, it will Darius Miles looking to take advantage of the addition of Dawkins as he'll most likely see more looks and more open shots.
